Winter Syllabus 6
COMMUNICATION AS CRITICAL INQUIRY (COM 110)
“Communication-the human connection-is the key to personal and career success.” –Paul J. Meyer
Instructor: Callie Winter Office Hours: M,W 12:00-2:00
Office: Fell Hall 280 Office Phone: (309) 438-3672
Email: Other Phone: (630) 484-0030
Section: 016
Classroom: Fell 0125 Meeting time: MWF, 10:00-10:50 a.m.
TEXTS
Simonds, C. J., Hunt, S. K., & Simonds, B. K. (2013). Communication as Critical Inquiry (5th ed. for Illinois State University). Boston, MA: Pearson Custom Publishing.
(Textbook materials with access codes available at campus bookstores—See below).
Simonds, C. J., Hunt, S. K., & Hooker, J.F. (2014). Communication as critical inquiry:
Supplementary materials packet. Champaign, IL: Stipes Publishing.
(Available at the School of Communication Resource Center in the basement of Fell —See below).
COURSE MATERIALS
COM 110 TEXTBOOK: You are required to have an Ebook Access code which will allow you to access the textbook for this course. On this website, there is a full electronic copy of the textbook as well as other materials necessary for the completion of the course. If you would prefer a hard copy of the textbook in addition to the Ebook, these can be purchased online through the Ebook site for an additional cost.
Spiral Workbook Purchasing Procedures. Students will purchase the spiral workbook (Com 110 Communication as Critical Inquiry) through the School of Communication online store using a credit, debit, or monetary gift card. The website can be found at the following address:
http://tinyurl.com/o8jjxke
The workbook will cost $31 plus tax and will be available for the students to pick up in the Communication Resource Center located in the basement of Fell Hall 1-2 business days after the online purchase. Students will need to show their ISU ID card and Resource Center workers will verify they have purchased the book and give it to them at that time.
Communication Resource Center Hours of Operation
Week 1 - Fell 034 Week 2 - Fell 032
Monday-Thursday 9 a.m.-7 p.m. Monday -Thursday 9 a.m.-6 p.m.
Friday 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Friday 9 a.m.-3 p.m.
ALSO REQUIRED
· Some mechanism that can record at least 8 minutes of video that can be uploaded to a computer (smartphone, tablet with video capabilities, laptop with web cam, or a friend/classmate with said technology).
· A working ISU email account
SUGGESTED MATERIALS:
Note cards (4”x6” or smaller)
COMMUNICATION AS CRITICAL INQUIRY (COM 110) COURSE GOALS:
1) Students will become more competent communicators (using knowledge, skill, motivation, and judgment).
2) Students will become more critical consumers and producers of ideas and information (using analytical reasoning skills in the reception, collection, and presentation of ideas).
3) Students will conduct background research necessary to develop well-informed presentations.
4) Students will evaluate the communication skills of others (identifying effective and ineffective aspects of oral presentations).
5) Students will become more competent in communicating in small group discussions (articulating and defending their own ideas as well as listening to and considering the ideas of others).
6) Students will become more effective communicators in a democracy (demonstrating ethical communication, considering multiple perspectives on controversial issues, and managing conflict).
MY TEACHING PHILOSOPHY:
Learning can and should be fun! Just because you receive a grade at the end of the semester, we can still have a fun, upbeat learning environment in this course. The activities that you will do in this course are to help you best understand the material, be able to relate it to your own lives, and have a good time in the process.
Additionally, two key values that I believe are crucial to a healthy classroom setting are trust and respect. In order to achieve the most comfortable environment for everyone, there should always be a communal feeling rather than competitive. You are working together, not against each other for grades. As students, the more comfortable you are with your classmates, the easier the semester will be. We are a team, and we have to rely on each other and help each other in order to be successful. Public speaking is scary for everyone, so having the best preparation possible will be crucial in our time together.
I am here to help you and make this class beneficial for all of us. Communication is key in any class or career, and I want to thoroughly communicate with each of you, so please be sure to communicate with me as much as you may need. My office hours are posted on the first page and are open to each student in this class. If we all come prepared, excited, and ready to learn we can make this class beneficial, and still have fun!
Please do not hesitate to ask questions, or ask for help, in or out of class. (Unless there is a privacy issue at stake, in-class is often best, since your classmates may have the same questions or concerns that you do, and then you are helping them, too.) If you have any special needs that it would help for me to be aware of, please let me know.
ASSIGNMENTS:
FORMAT: Please make your headings for ALL assignments uniform. I will provide an example, which I will expect you to follow. All references are to be cited using American Psychological Association (APA) Style. Though your work will be double spaced (with the exception of your outlines), 12pt font and will have 1 inch margins, the heading should be SINGLE SPACED and on the first page ONLY. Every assignment you turn in MUST be stapled, if it is not you will not get any credit for doing it.
EXAMS: There will be a midterm exam and a final exam. Exams will assess your understanding of communication concepts and theories, as well as your application and integration abilities. Students are required by the University to meet during their final exam time.
QUIZZES: Quizzes may be added throughout the course of the semester if I feel that students are not doing the assigned readings. The format of quizzes will vary from multiple choice, true/false, and open answer.
PORTFOLIO: A detailed handout is in the spiral notebook. The end product will consist of your Communication Improvement Profile (CIP), CTSA, ECSA, Speech Self-Evaluations, Library Assignment and a Synthesis paper.
SPEECHES: Each student will present three speeches:
a. Informative speech (5-7 minutes, no more than 7:30; at least 4 sources)
b. Group presentation (18-20 minutes, no more than 20:30; at least 10 sources)
c. Persuasive speech (5-7 minutes, no more than 7:30; at least 5 sources)
All three speeches must be completed to pass the course
ILLINOIS ARTICULATION INITIATIVE:
The Illinois Articulation Initiative is designed to allow students to transfer course credit between institutions. The IAI requires that all Com 110 students present at least three speaking opportunities that include research and are five minutes, or longer, in duration.
SPEECH LAB: You are encouraged to visit the speech lab at least once during the semester to practice your speech. Ultimately, the speech lab can be a useful tool in improving the quality of your speech and public speaking skills. To schedule time in the speech lab, call 438-4556 or come to Fell 032 and schedule an appointment in person. If you wish to video record your presentation, please tell the attendant when booking your appointment. Remember to book your appointment early, as there are a great number of students trying to make appointments. You must schedule an appointment at least 24 hours before the date you are scheduled to deliver your speech in class, or you will not be able to use the speech lab. If you need to change or cancel your appointment, you will need to call the Speech Lab at 438-4556 or stop by in person (Fell Hall 032) 24 hours in advance.
PARTICIPATION: Because Communication as Critical Inquiry is a skills-based, developmental course, participation is essential. I understand that not all students are as comfortable participating vocally, but contributions to discussion will be expected. To receive full participation points, students are expected to complete all 18 Preparing to Participate chapter assignments (P2Ps). I will be collecting P2Ps for 10 chapters throughout the semester. You will not know the collection times before I collect them, so that is why I would recommend preparing for all chapters. Each P2P is worth five points. These are the only assignments that can be hand-written. However, I will not grade them if I cannot read them.
ACTIVITIES: You are expected to come to class and be prepared to engage in activities and discussion with your peers. I do not want to lecture on notes you have already read and I KNOW you do not want to listen to a lecture the whole time. Activities will be done in class and cannot be made up. Detailed instructions will be given at the appropriate times.
EVALUATION:
Informative Speech 100 pts.
Group Presentation 100 pts.
Persuasive Speech 100 pts.
CIP Paper 40 pts.
Activities TBA
Synthesis Paper /Portfolio 50 pts.
Participation & P2Ps 100 pts.
Midterm 100 pts.
Final Exam 100 pts.
TOTAL TBA
Grades not be discussed through email or in class. If you have a question about a grade you received on an assignment, please wait 24 hours before meeting with me to discuss it. I will not discuss grades prior to 24 hours after I have handed the grade back. Additionally, if you have an issue with the grade, prior to meeting with me, have a typed, one-page explanation of your concern with the grade. If you have questions about an individual or overall grade, see me during office hours or set up a meeting.
COURSE POLICIES:
1. Attendance is the key to success. Regular attendance will be expected and I will take attendance every day. Your absence will result in loss of points, depending on what the class does that day. You are always responsible for all material distributed in your absence.
2. I understand that “life happens”, therefore you will be allowed two unexcused absences that you may use whenever you like throughout the semester. These days cannot be used on your speech day, a classmate’s speech day, group work days, or an exam day.
3. You are always responsible for all material distributed in your absence. Also note, any/all materials are handed out only once. If you are not in class to receive them, you should obtain the information from a fellow student.
4. If you have a legitimate reason for not being in class, you must tell me as far as possible in advance by e-mail or bring a doctor’s note in case of illness. If you are involved in university activities that will cause you to miss class such as athletics or the debate team, I need a schedule of classes that you will miss and a signed note from your coach or sponsor verifying that you are on the team.
5. Tardiness will not be tolerated. The third time you are late to class, you will have to write a one-page paper detailing why you can’t make it here on time. Also, if you are late on a speech day, NEVER come into the classroom during a speech. Wait outside until you hear applause and the conclusion of the speech. Tardiness on speech days will result in the loss of all participation points for the day.
6. We are a support system for each other because public speaking can be a scary proposition. Therefore, participation points will be given every speech day for peer evaluations, and if you skip a speech day when you are not presenting, you will lose 10% off the grade for your speech and all the participation points for the day. Show up to class and support your classmates because they will do the same for you.
UNIVERSITY BEREAVEMENT POLICY: Students who experience the death of an immediate family member or relative as defined in the University Student Bereavement Policy will be excused from class for funeral leave, subsequent bereavement, and/or travel considerations.Students are responsible for providing appropriate documentation to the Dean of Students office and for contacting the instructor as soon as possible to make arrangements for completing missed work.More information is available in the Student Bereavement Policy at http://www.policy.illinoisstate.edu/2-1-27.shtml
CELL PHONES/TEXTING: All electronic devices are to be turned off and put away before class begins. If your phone rings during class, you must deliver a short impromptu speech on a topic of my choice. If your phone rings during someone else’s speeches or you are texting, you will lose 10% off your own speech grade. Additionally, we will have enough fun in class that you should not need social media to keep you entertained. If you use your phone during class, points will be taken off of your final participation grade.
LATE WORK: All work is expected on the date it is due. Late assignments will not be accepted. I will work with you if you have a legitimate reason for your absence (determined by me) AND arrangements have been made with me prior to the class meeting. I want to help you in any way possible but will not accept less than your full effort. Like most instructors, I am more understanding if you keep me informed: If you encounter problems, please let me know right away
COMMUNICATING WITH ME:
Email is the best way to get in contact with me if you have questions or concerns. When using emailing me in the subject line of your email, please list your course (COM 110) and last name. Please allow at least a 24-hour response time during the week and 48-hours on the weekend. You may call or text me. My number is (630) 484-0030 but please use this as a last resort, if you have questions about an assignment try to come to office hours or ask a classmate first.
PROFESSIONAL COURTESY: Professional courtesy includes respecting others' opinions, not interrupting in class, being respectful to those who are speaking, and working together in a spirit of cooperation. I expect you to demonstrate these behaviors at all times in this class.
CHEATING/PLAGIARISM: Students are expected to be honest in all academic work, consistent with the academic integrity policy as outlined in the Code of Student Conduct. All work is to be appropriately cited when it is borrowed, directly or indirectly, from another source. Unauthorized and unacknowledged collaboration on speech topics and/or the presentation of someone else’s work warrants plagiarism.